EFIPHYLLTJM. 2] 



Epiphyllum which are grown for exhibition purposes ; and, although 

 these plants are muoh rarer at exhibitions now than they were 

 formerly yet they do sometimes appear, e.3pecially in the provinces. 



It would not be easy to find a more beautiful plant during 

 winter than an Epiphyllum, 5 or 6 feet high, and about the same 

 in width at the base, forming a dense pyramid of drooping, strap- 

 like branches bearing several hundreds of bright- coloured blossoms 

 all at one time. Such plants may be grown by any amateur who 

 possesses a warm greenhouse ; and, although it is not easy to 

 manage such large plants in a room window, handsome specimens 

 may be grown if the window is favourably situated and the room 

 kept warm in winter. Mr. Wallis, of Ipswich, one of the most 

 successful cultivators of Epiphyilums, wrote of them as follows : 



" The Epiphyllums here are grown for flowering in the con- 

 servatory, and are usually gay from the first week in November till 

 February. During the remainder of the year, they occupy a 

 three-quarter span-roof house, in which an intermediate tempera- 

 ture is maintained. All our plants are grafted on Pereskia aculeata. 

 We graft a few at intervals of two or three years, so that if any of 

 the older plants become r.ickly or shabby, they can be thrown away. 

 Some of the stocks are worked to form pyramids, and some to form 

 standards. The height of the pyramids is 6 feet, and, to form these, 

 six or eight scions are inserted. The heads of the standards are on 

 stems ranging in height from 4J feet down to 1J feet. To form 

 these heads, only one scion is put on the stock. Some of our oldest 

 pyramids are 2 or 5 feet through at the base, and the heads of the 

 standards quite as much. When in flower, the heads of the latter 

 droop almost to the pots. The pyramids occupy No. 2 and No. 4 

 sized pots, the standards 8's and 12's. Each plant is secured to 

 a strong iron stake, with three prongs fitting the inside of the pot, 

 and is supported to the stake by ties. After the plants are well 

 established, they are easily managed, and go many years without 

 repotting ; but, of course, we top-dress them annually, previously 

 removing as much of the old soil as will come aAvay easily. We grow 

 these plants with plenty of ventilation on all favourable occasions, 

 and they are seldom shaded. During active growth water is given 

 freely, occasionally liquid manure ; they are also syringed daily. 

 After the season's growth is completed, water is given more spar- 

 ingly, and syringing is dispensed with." 



Epiphyllums may be grown on their own roots if young, rooted 

 plants are placed rather thickly round the sides of wire baskets, and 

 suspended in a warm house. They are also employed with good effect 

 for covering walls, which are first covered with peaty soil by means 

 of wire netting, and then cuttings of the Epiphyllums are stuck in 

 at intervals of about 1 foot. Large plants of Pereskia may be 

 trained over pillars in conservatories and afterwards grafted with 

 Epiphyllums. 



